My daughter, Emily, is trying to get in better shape. She’s decided that she wants to run. She asked me to coach her. So, yesterday evening we began our training.

We both agreed that she should begin by running for a set amount of time and not for a set distance. If you set the distance you might easily bite off more than you can chew. If you set the time you can adjust the distance by the pace you choose. We decided on 20 minutes and I let her set the pace. Five minutes into the run we had to stop and walk. We walked for a minute and then resumed the run. At eight minutes we were walking again. We had to stop and walk four times.

We had turned around at the 10 minute mark and by the 18 minute mark I was worried that Emily might be getting discouraged and she might just stop. Then she said something that thrilled me. She said, “Dad, maybe I’d feel better if we ran faster.” I told her it was her run and she took off. For the next two minutes she pushed the pace and I had to press to keep up with her. She finished well. Man, I’m proud of that girl. Tomorrow we’ll run again.

That’s the way I want to live my life. I think that’s the way Paul lived his life. The life of a believer is not always an ascending line, moving constantly and consistently toward success and heaven. Sometimes you have to stop and walk. Sometimes you have to stand dead still. Occasionally you might even run backwards. My point is just don’t stop running.

Some of you are just starting. Watch your pace. Don’t set it too fast. Some of you have been running for a long time. Keep running. Don’t let anything distract you. All of you, stay in the race. As you see the finish approaching, press the pace. Your Father will be proud of you.

“I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” IITim. 4.7,8